About

PLAYdifferently makes instruments for performing and mixing music. We are founded from the belief that the tools used to mix and perform should be as creative and as unique as the artists who use them.

Our first product is the MODEL 1, a performance instrument providing new creative possibilities to artists, and empowering them to PLAYdifferently. A mixer of uncompromising build quality, intuitive tactile controls and beautifully warm analogue circuitry, MODEL 1 is engineered by Andy Rigby-Jones and co-designed by Richie Hawtin, with two years of extensive road testing, insight and refinement with artists, clubs and engineers from across the electronic music community.

Andy and Richie met over a decade ago when Rigby-Jones was former Lead Designer at Allen & Heath. They developed a close friendship as Richie–musician, DJ and technology adventurer–would regularly provide feedback to Andy on the latest Xone product developments, and the two even worked on custom modified Xone products for Richie’s unique DJ performances. Andy departed from Allen & Heath in 2014 after 25 years, to begin his own venture with Richie. Seeing the high demand that PLAYdifferently’s first prototype had already garnered during pre-production, the partners formed a new alliance with Allen & Heath (Cornwall, England), who would lend their expertise in manufacturing and distribution.

MODEL 1 has a unique offering of six fully featured input channels plus two stereo returns in a small format frame. It has many features not currently available on any comparable device, such as input pre-amplifier drive control, hybrid filter/swept bell EQ, dual cue system, dual mixer linking system, and a fully balanced Tascam DB25 connector system.
MODEL 1 is a purely analogue mixer featuring technology normally found in the finest studio consoles, such as a fully balanced mix buss, zero crossing detection for seamless filter and master EQ routing along high voltage differential power rails.

The PLAYdifferently ethos is championed by official ambassadors; Chris Liebing, David Morales, Dubfire, Fabio Florido, Hito, Loco Dice, Louie Vega, Luciano, Matador, Nicole Moudaber and Paco Osuna. Other notable artists now playing on MODEL 1 include Carl Cox, Stephan Bodzin and Hot Since 82. These artists come together with Richie Hawtin for PLAYdifferently events at world renowned clubs and festivals including Space Miami, Fuse Brussels, Tomorrowland Belgium and Fabrik Madrid.